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Arugula Growing Guide 🌿: Quick Tips for Planting, Watering, and Continuous Harvesting

Arugula Growing Guide 🌿: Quick Tips for Planting, Watering, and Continuous Harvesting

Introduction

Arugula, also known as rocket, is a fast-growing, cool-season leafy green known for its peppery flavor and tender leaves. Perfect for SIPs and wicking beds, arugula thrives with steady bottom-up hydration, producing lush greens in record time. Using GardenWells inserts ensures consistent moisture and effortless care, whether you're gardening on a balcony, patio, or full raised bed.

When to Plant Arugula

  • Spring: Direct-seed outdoors in March–April once soil temps reach 7°C (45°F); see the March Gardening Guide for timing tips.

  • Summer: Sow heat-tolerant varieties in June and succession plant every 2 weeks; check the June Gardening Guide for SIP watering during hotter months.

  • Fall: Plant a late crop in August for tender, frost-sweetened leaves; visit the September Gardening Guide for fall growing strategies.

Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 9 plants per sq ft (~4” apart)

  • Depth: Sow seeds ¼” deep

  • Companions: Great companions include radishes, carrots, and lettuce.

How to Plant Arugula

Direct Seeding (Preferred)

  • Plant 2–3 seeds per hole, thinning to the strongest seedling after germination.

  • Keep SIP soil evenly moist until sprouting, which typically occurs in 5–10 days.

Transplanting (Optional)

  • If starting indoors, transplant carefully while seedlings are small to avoid stressing delicate roots.

Watering Your Arugula

Arugula thrives on steady hydration for tender, mild leaves:

  • Use your WaterStem to monitor reservoirs — when the Hummingbird rises, the SIP is full; when it drops, refill.

  • Before establishment: Lightly top-water daily for the first 7 days.

  • After establishment: Refill SIP reservoirs every 1–2 weeks, adjusting for weather conditions.

  • Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvesting Arugula

  • Baby Greens: Ready in 20–25 days for tender, mild leaves.

  • Mature Leaves: Harvest in 35–45 days for larger, bolder-flavored foliage.

  • Use a cut-and-come-again method: snip outer leaves and allow the plant to regrow continuously.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Bolting Heat stress or drought Use SIPs or wicking beds for consistent hydration; plant bolt-resistant varieties
Yellow Leaves Overwatering or low nutrients Balance SIP watering and apply compost or liquid fertilizer
Flea Beetles Common pest of leafy greens Use floating row covers or interplant nasturtiums as a trap crop

Companion Plants for Arugula

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Radishes → Help break up soil and mature quickly.

  • Carrots → Compact roots make efficient SIP space use.

  • Lettuce → Shares SIP hydration zones and shades arugula in summer.

  • Spinach → Great partner for early-season SIP planting.

Avoid planting with:

  • Broccoli and other brassicas — shared pests make spacing them separately ideal.

Product Tips

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